Around Town: Tribute slated for McClendon

The memory of the late Aubrey K. McClendon’s efforts in changing the shores of the Oklahoma River has inspired his friends and others to continue to expand the Oklahoma City Boathouse District.

People say his leadership has enhanced tens of thousands of lives and reframed the way people around the world view Oklahoma City.

He is credited for not only the expansions on the river front but also for the establishment of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation.

At least 40 years ago, I did a Sunday cover page for The Oklahoman with color photos of the river with its beer cans, bottles, trash and dirt. There was no water to photograph. Readers chastised me for exposing the situation. To accompany the pictures we had quotes from a famous writer who was making a trip through Oklahoma City back in the early statehood days. The lovely poetry emphasized the ugliness of the scene. There was discord by residents who, of course, never knew how bad it was.

‘Twas a long time before McClendon, strongly pressed by city leader Ray Ackerman and a few others, was able to work out a plan to make the river, now named the Oklahoma River.

Civic leaders have founded a tribute campaign titled “Onward & Upward” in honor of McClendon. They’re contemplating that the next establishment in the Boathouse District be named the Aubrey K. McClendon Whitewater Center.

Leading the funding are Judy Love, Bob Ross and Mike Turpen, who hope they can raise enough money to celebrate on Oct. 5. They already have nearly $5 million. To donate or for more information, contact Mike Knopp, executive director of the Boat House Foundation, at 405-412-0766. Donors who contribute $150,000 or more will be offered a special opportunity to permanently name a race shell.

Think about this

This item is in Forbes Magazine: Sixty years of farming are left if soil degradation continues around the world, according to a U.N. report cited during an Innovation Spotlight conversation.

Pick your favorite

Remington Park’s 48-hour thoroughbred season opener will be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. The park will simulcast seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and offer free general and valet parking.